He qualified to play for Ireland because his grandmother is from Easkey, County Sligo.
Payne made his debut for Munster in September 2003, against Leinster in a Celtic League game.
[4] He retired at the end of the 2007–08 season, having been dropped from the Munster team during the knockout-stage of the 2007–08 Heineken Cup.
His last appearance for Munster was against Ulster in a Celtic League game in April 2008.
[5] Payne was called up to the senior Ireland squad for the 2005 Six Nations Championship.